Toyota GB first OEM to go live with new showroom inspection solution from Ebbon Automotive

The new showroom inspection module, Inspection Process, is the latest software enhancement to the market-leading moDel, which is widely used throughout the fleet and retail markets for new vehicle deliveries and which has recently unveiled record results for 2022.

The release of Inspection Process allows Toyota GB to utilise moDel for direct online sales from the Toyota and Lexus websites, where there is no need for delivery agents or for a collection and delivery form to be created.

Having completed the sale online, the customer visits the showroom to collect the vehicle where a thorough handover process takes place, highlighting the vehicle’s features, benefits and points of connectivity.

Customer details are then captured by showroom personnel via the moDel app and fed into the moDel platform where the OEM and retailer can access them.

This removes all paper from the process, reduces the risk of errors, facilitates electronic data capture, increases accuracy and also allows the use of CSI metrics to monitor and record the customer experience.

Toyota GB is a firm supporter of moDel for the supply and delivery of the majority of its new vehicles, mandating its use within its SLAs (Service Level Agreements) across its retailer network.

Jess Hodgkiss, Manager, Direct Sales Support at Toyota GB, said the addition of the new Inspection Process module within moDel would streamline the handover process for direct sales, with customers, having sourced and ordered their vehicles online, coming to showrooms to complete the sale.

“Having accurate handover and delivery data is of paramount importance to us which is why we use moDel for the majority of our sales. Inspection Process gives us the same level of accuracy with direct online sales as moDel delivers at physical handovers at customers’ premises.

“We are only a couple of months into this process and so far, only a relatively small number of vehicles have gone through it. But it is working well for us with quicker handovers and a better experience for our customers.

“We are currently exploring other capabilities within moDel for future applications,” she added.

Michael Terry (pictured), Head of Commercial – Logistics at Ebbon Automotive, commented: “Inspection Process is ideal for increasing the accuracy of static vehicle handovers and inspections such as showroom handovers, and works equally well for both retail and fleet customers. We are currently rolling it out across our customer base.

“It is the latest in a stream of system improvements we have introduced for moDel to ensure it remains the market-leading platform, and shows our ongoing commitment to continue its development for the benefit of our customers.

“We already have some new and exciting projects planned for 2023 that will further enhance the platform and help with our growth targets both in the UK and Europe,” he said.

In 2022, moDel recorded 866,000 vehicle handovers, up 10% year-on-year, despite the ongoing global shortage of semi-conductors which has led to constrained new vehicle supply.

The record results were achieved through strong organic growth with new customers, primarily leasing companies, dealers, vehicle manufacturers and logistics suppliers, joining on a monthly basis throughout the year.

Over the last 12 months, moDel has also seen continued investment with 12 new software releases designed to enhance its functionality, many based on specific customer feedback.